Code of ethics teaching and its application in nursing students: a cross sectional study
Abstract Background Codes of ethics is a guide for nursing practice. However, limited number of studies was conducted on code of ethics teaching and its application in nursing students. This study aimed to determine code of ethics teaching and its application in nursing students and the association between variables. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 134 nursing students from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences participated in this study. Codes of Ethics for Nurses Questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed by SPSS. Results Code of ethics teaching and its application in 98% and 97% of nursing students were in moderate and high levels. Beside, association between codes of ethics teaching and its application were significant in nursing students (r=0.21, P=0.04). Most of the participants were taught the codes of ethics by their lecturers (58.1%) in classroom (61.1%). Two third of the participants had moderate and above knowledge and capability to apply the codes of ethics. Furthermore, 75.2% of them believed that having codes of ethics were highly essential. Conclusions The teaching and application of the codes in approximately 50% of the students were in moderate level, which shows they need to acquire more knowledge on this subject. As the association between codes of ethics teaching and its application through increasing their knowledge, hence, application of these codes in nursing students who will become the future nurses is imperative.